Synthesis, Sorting, and Applications of Single-Chirality Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

The synthesis of high-quality chirality-pure single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is vital for their applications. It is of high importance to modernize the synthesis processes to decrease the synthesis temperature and improve the quality and yield of SWCNTs. This review is dedicated to the chirality-selective synthesis, sorting of SWCNTs, and applications of chirality-pure SWCNTs. The review begins with a description of growth mechanisms of carbon nanotubes. Then, we discuss the synthesis methods of semiconducting and metallic conductivity-type and single-chirality SWCNTs, such as the epitaxial growth method of SWCNT (“cloning”) using nanocarbon seeds, the growth method using nanocarbon segments obtained by organic synthesis, and the catalyst-mediated chemical vapor deposition synthesis. Then, we discuss the separation methods of SWCNTs by conductivity type, such as electrophoresis (dielectrophoresis), density gradient ultracentrifugation (DGC), low-speed DGC, ultrahigh DGC, chromatography, two-phase separation, selective solubilization, and selective reaction methods and techniques for single-chirality separation of SWCNTs, including density gradient centrifugation, two-phase separation, and chromatography methods. Finally, the applications of separated SWCNTs, such as field-effect transistors (FETs), sensors, light emitters and photodetectors, transparent electrodes, photovoltaics (solar cells), batteries, bioimaging, and other applications, are presented.

Monitoring Enzyme Activity Using Near-Infrared Fluorescent Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

“…A promising solution is the use of chirality-pure SWCNTs, which have a rather uniform diameter and, thus, nearly identical optical and physical properties (Scheme d). Recent advances in separation techniques, such as aqueous two-phase extraction (ATPE) and chromatography-based approaches, have facilitated the isolation of chirality-pure SWCNTs. ,− In parallel, synthesizing SWCNTs with a specific chirality using tailor catalyst particles has shown promising results. − These separations or selective growth not only result in SWCNTs with distinct optical properties, characterized by defined fluorescence emission, but also yield samples of SWCNTs with a rather uniform distribution of lengths, enhancing the reliability of their quantification as enzymatic sensors …”

Expanding the Horizons of Machine Learning in Nanomaterials to Chiral Nanostructures

“…In some cases, during synthesis, both enantiomers of NPs (racemic mixture) can be formed. This is typical for CNTs, [ 282 ] chiral twisted nanowires, helicoids and coils, and crystals possessing an intrinsically chiral lattice, such as HgS. [ 207 ] Also in any conventional synthesis, particles with chiral defects can be incidentally formed.…”

“…[ 283 ] To separate CNTs, density gradient centrifugation, chromatography, and two-phase separation methods are commonly used. [ 282 ]…”

Growth of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes from Solid Supported Heterogeneous Catalysts: Achievements and Challenges

“…Similar to surface growth of SWNTs with high chirality selectivity, the solid supported catalyst could regulate SWNT (n, m) structures by controlling the catalyst-SWNT interface properties [38], which sheds light on large quantity synthesis of SWNTs with a narrow chirality distribution, thus paving the way towards single chirality SWNT preparation through post-growth separation approaches for hightech applications. Although there are several reviews dedicated to the controlled growth and sorting of SWNTs [2,[39][40][41], a comprehensive summary of SWNT growth from solid-supported heterogeneous catalysts is currently lacking. In this review, the development history of solid support catalyst CVD for SWNT growth is firstly described.…”